A delegation of high-ranking officials from Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) recently visited Lima, Peru, to discuss and promote cricket's inclusion in the 2027 Pan American Games. This visit marks a significant step towards realizing the dream of seeing cricket featured in this major multi-sport event, which could have exciting implications for Bermudian cricketers.
The delegation, led by CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow and CANOC President Keith Joseph, engaged in productive discussions with key figures in Peruvian sports, including Renzo Manyari Velazco (President of the Peruvian Olympic Committee) and Dario Barthley (CEO of BMP Sports).
The focus of the visit was threefold:
Advancing cricket development in Peru: This includes fostering collaborative training programs and exchange initiatives to boost the sport's presence in the region.
Infrastructure development: The delegation explored strategies for building the necessary infrastructure to support cricket's growth in Peru, ensuring its readiness for the Pan Am Games.
International collaboration: The visit aimed to strengthen partnerships between nations and leverage the expertise of Cricket West Indies to promote cricket's inclusion in the Games.
The involvement of CANOC and CWI underscores the growing momentum behind cricket's Olympic aspirations. CANOC President Keith Joseph emphasized the importance of CWI's global influence in this effort. Dr. Kishore Shallow echoed this sentiment, stating, "With the Pan Am Games on the horizon, we are enthusiastic about cricket’s inclusion. CWI is fully committed and prepared to play a key role in bringing this vision to life—not just for the Pan Am Games, but also as a stepping stone to the 2028 Olympics.”
For Bermuda, the potential inclusion of cricket in the Pan Am Games presents an exciting opportunity for its national team to compete on a larger stage. With continued collaboration and strategic planning, the dream of seeing cricket at the 2027 Pan Am Games and the 2028 Olympics is becoming increasingly realistic.
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